Hummingbirds have an incredibly fast metabolism and grow very quickly compared to other bird species. As a result, hummingbird babies typically stay in the nest for a much shorter period of time than most other birds before they are ready to fledge and leave the nest.
Typical Nesting Timeline
The total amount of time a hummingbird baby spends in the nest can vary slightly depending on the specific species. However, the general timeline is as follows:
- Eggs hatch after 12-16 days of incubation
- Chicks fledge (leave the nest) after 18-25 days
So in total, hummingbird chicks are generally in the nest for between 3-5 weeks from the time the eggs are laid to when they fledge.
Key Factors that Influence Nesting Time
There are a few key factors that can influence the total amount of time a baby hummingbird spends in the nest:
- Species – The species of hummingbird determines the typical incubation and fledging timeframe. For example, Calliope hummingbird chicks may fledge in 18 days while Rufous hummingbirds take closer to 25 days on average.
- Number of babies – When there are multiple chicks in a nest, they may fledge faster as they compete for food and room in the tiny nest.
- Predation – If the nest is threatened by predators, the mother may encourage the babies to fledge earlier than normal.
- Food availability – Abundant food allows faster growth while scarce resources can delay development.
- Weather – Extreme cold or heat can impact incubation, growth, and fledging.
Under ideal conditions with plenty of food, single chicks often stay in the nest for the average fledging times. Competition and scarce resources generally mean quicker fledging.
Growth and Development in the Nest
Hummingbird chicks develop incredibly rapidly in the short weeks they spend in the nest. Here’s an overview of their growth timeline:
| Age | Development Milestones |
|---|---|
| 1-3 days | Eyes sealed shut, no feathers, body covered in faint gray down |
| 4-7 days | Eyes open, pinfeathers emerge along underside of wings |
| 8-15 days | Body feathers develop, start perching on edge of nest |
| 16-22 days | Wings fully feathered, attempt short hovering flights |
Within just 3 weeks, hummingbird chicks go from being naked and blind at hatching to fully feathered fledglings capable of flight. Their rapid growth is fueled by consuming high-protein insects and nectar provided by the mother several times an hour from dawn to dusk.
Fledging and Life After the Nest
Fledging is the pivotal point when hummingbird chicks leave the nest and fly off on their own. The actual act of fledging occurs in a few key stages:
- Chicks stand on the rim of the nest and flutter wings to strengthen flight muscles
- Short hovering flights next to the nest to build flying skill
- First full flight up to several feet away from the nest
- Regular flights leaving the nest for increasing amounts of time
- Final flight away from the nest to independence
The first three fledges are usually done over 1-3 days before the chick fully leaves the nest. At this point, the chick must quickly learn to feed itself by visiting flowers for nectar.
Some young hummingbirds remain close to the nest for up to 2 weeks after fledging. They return periodically to continue begging for food from the female. However, by 3-4 weeks of age, most hummingbird fledglings are completely independent.
With their high metabolisms and need for frequent feeding, hummingbirds grow remarkably fast and waste little time leaving the nest. While exact timing depends on factors like species, number of chicks, and food supply, most can fledge in just 18-25 days. This allows the tiny birds to quickly take flight and keep up their whirring wings and hungry appetites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you tell if a hummingbird is about to fledge?
Signs a hummingbird is getting ready to fledge:
- Standing on the rim of the nest and flapping wings
- Making short hovering flights next to the nest
- Appearing fully feathered
- Seeming restless in the nest
Do male or female hummingbirds take care of the babies?
Female hummingbirds are solely responsible for incubating eggs and caring for the chicks once they’ve hatched. Male hummingbirds provide no parental care.
How do mother hummingbirds feed their babies?
Female hummingbirds feed their chicks by regurgitating nectar and insects into the chick’s mouth. Babies beg by peeping loudly and waving their heads when hungry.
What do baby hummingbirds eat?
Baby hummingbirds eat a diet of regurgitated nectar and small insects provided by the mother. As they near fledging, mothers may also feed nectar directly from flowers.
Do hummingbird mothers abandon the nest after fledging?
No, mother hummingbirds continue visiting and feeding the fledglings for 1-2 weeks after they first leave the nest to help support them. The young birds gradually gain independence and forage on their own.
How many broods can hummingbirds raise in a season?
Many hummingbird species raise 2-3 broods per breeding season. They can lay a new clutch of eggs within a week or two of fledging a brood thanks to their high energy.
Conclusion
In their short 18-25 days in the nest, hummingbird chicks undergo a remarkable transformation from tiny helpless hatchlings to skillful fliers ready to migrate and thrive on their own. Their rapid development is a testament to the incredible speed and efficiency of these captivating birds. While fledging is a brief phase, it represents a huge milestone as hummingbird chicks take wing and continue the fleeting lifecycle of their fascinating species.
